Elgar Encyclopedia of Impact Assessment

This timely Encyclopedia defines and clarifies international impact assessment (IA) scholarship and practice. Leading experts from across the globe provide concise synopses of the foundational theories and frameworks behind contemporary IA practices and applications, mapping historical debates and future research avenues.

Recognising that IA is not a uniform or static enterprise, the entries highlight diverse legislation, societal expectations and decision-based contexts with increasing demands for transparency and equity. Incorporating discussions on rapid information flows, misinformation and contested claims into cutting-edge analysis on the current state of IA, the Encyclopedia raises crucial ethical and societal questions to support informed practice and encourage critical reflection.

The Elgar Encyclopedia of Impact Assessment is a groundbreaking resource for scholars and students of politics and public policy, planning, public health, development studies, environmental sociology and natural resource management. Policymakers, research groups and development planners will also benefit from its broad scope and novel insights.

Key Features:

• Includes over 70 entries divided into 7 thematic parts for ease of reference and navigation
• Discusses key sectorial applications of IA, from areas with long-established practices to emerging fields
• Addresses the specific geographical implications of IA across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America
• Analyses key challenges for IA, including the influence of protected areas, Arctic climate change and ecological connectivity on the efficacy of IA assessments